24 Small Space Decorating Ideas for Making the Most of Any Room in Your House
Because transforming small spaces doesn't have to be hard.
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Decorating small spaces comes with some very unique challenges. Scratch that: Decorating small space can feel nearly impossible—particularly when you're dealing with a lack of any meaningful storage space. Sure, organizing a linen closet can give you a sense of order, but what in the world are you going to do with all your toiletries when you're trying to figure out small space half-bathroom ideas? As with any decorating ideas, things can get expensive—even in a tiny space. But armed with our small space decorating ideas, you're going to make it work on-budget. Whether you're decorating a small one-bedroom apartment, or a quaint little house, our tips are easy to implement, and they'll have your home looking clutter-free and so much bigger in just a matter of hours.
What's more, because we know pragmatism isn't everything, the ideas we're sharing with you today are fun and pretty! We're of the mind that small spaces shouldn't get short shrift when it comes to style. After all, with so many cool tools and gadgets available—whether for kitchen cabinet organization or other sneaky home storage ideas, there's always a way to maximize the possibilities of every room. Get started here with plenty of inspiration for oh-so-clever small-space tools, tips, and ideas.
Downsize Your Accessories
If you're working with a small bathroom, your accessories should stay relatively small too. Try hanging a mirror and sconces like the ones you see here.
Swap Your Sofa for a Settee
Yes, a large sofa will work in a space-challenged house, but some rooms call for something less intrusive. This loveseat does the trick—and its small stature doesn't even look out of place.
With open shelving trending these days, you'll need a place to stash your unsightly kitchen objects. This lid organizer is best to keep in a cabinet, out of the spotlight, and it really will make your life easier and more organized.
RELATED: The Best Kitchen Drawer Dividers
Hide Your Toilet Paper
If you're working with small spaces with minimal storage like this bathroom, consider skirting your sink so you can stash your toiletries out of sight.
Invest in Smart Furniture
You shouldn't have to go to great lengths to add organizational elements to your room. Instead, pick furniture that has storage space built right in. That way, you won't have to add extra clutter as you continue to troubleshoot space problems.
Get organized while keeping what you love!
Get organized while keeping what you love!
Organize your entire home without getting rid of anything with a fun and easy 3-step solution from the Country Living experts who know the joy of holding on to cherished items, how to artfully display them, and organize like a pro.
Zinus SmartBase Mattress Foundation
Zinus SmartBase Mattress Foundation
If you've already got your furniture picked out, and it's not storage-friendly, the least you can do is stretch its organizational capabilities. This SmartBase Mattress Foundation adds 13 inches of storage beneath your bedframe, allowing for ample box and crate storage. (It also happens to boast upwards of 140,000 glowing customer reviews.)
Consider Retro Appliances
Generally speaking, vintage (and vintage-inspired) appliances, like the refrigerator pictured here, take up fewer square feet than modern-day behemoths. They can also add decorative charm—and a welcome pop of color!—to a small space.
RELATED: Best Galley Kitchen Ideas
Hang an Expandable Rack
To maximize space in a small laundry room, put a front-loading washer and dryer beneath a counter so you have work space. Space-saving drying racks are also an excellent idea.
Make Your Walls Work Overtime
This space-saving, schoolhouse-red desk folds up when not in use and can be repurposed in multiple ways: as a cocktail bar, craft station, or, if you equip it with a mirror, a vanity.
Think Up, Not Out
For a book-loving client bound by tight quarters, Washington, D.C.-based designer Lauren Liess doubled her storage space by adding a bank of extra-tall shelves that slides open to reveal a bathroom door.
For extra-cramped spaces, forgo the bookshelves and go with wall-mounted shelves, which take up no floor space at all. (These happen to be easy on the eyes, too.)
Put Your Pantry on Display
No space for a pantry? No problem! Just outfit a utilitarian shelving system with breathable baskets that can corral everything from various types of produce to bulky bags of dry goods like flour and sugar. For even more versatility, try a wire basket storage cart equipped with casters, which make it possible to roll it out of sight when not in use.
Utilize the Area Under the Stairway
This overlooked part of the house has tons of pack-it-in potential. Here, Chicago interior designer Tom Stringer cleverly incorporated drawers for a family of four that wanted to maximize the space.
If you don't have room beneath your stairs, make some room above them with stair "step baskets." These genius catch-alls are a fun way to make the most of every last inch of your home.
Hang Your Draperies as High as You Can
Here's a little designer secret: The hands-down easiest way to make ceilings look higher is to place a drapery rod really close to the ceiling—roughly 2 inches below the crown molding will do the trick. While you're at it, make sure to extend the rod at least 4 inches on either side of the window so that the window appears wider—and allows in more light.
These curtains are easy to place above your windows, since they're extra-long and will easily reach the floor. But we also love that they're sheer. That translucence provides the illusion that they're taking up even less space.
Double Your Space With Mirrors
While it sounds like a vanity project, surrounding yourself with mirrors creates the illusion of more room. Tip: A mirrored backsplash in a small kitchen will also work visual wonders.
Find a Foolproof Neutral
You can do a bold color in a small space (a dark brown library can be so cozy!), but a predominantly neutral palette generally makes the flow of a house feel less choppy. We're partial to the clean, peaceful look of this master bedroom.
Let There Be (Wall-Mounted) Light
Table lamps call for—you guessed it—a table. And in a small space, that's not always guaranteed. Why not try a sconce instead?
Hannah Jones is the Commerce Editor for Country Living. Her eye is always on the next up-and-coming products to include in gift guides and she's ready to test everything from dog beds to garden tools for product reviews. When she’s not scoping out the latest and greatest items on the market, you can find her hanging with her two rescue dogs.
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